How to wear sneakers and still look girly

Elizabeth Mitchell is a freelance fashion and beauty writer living in Los Angeles. A graduate of New York University, she regularly contributes to The Fashion Spot, The Luxury Spot and authors the Star Style column for StyleBakery Teen. ...

Give your pumped-up kicks a girlish makeover

You love the feel of sneakers, but you're so not a tomboy. We get it (we aren't either). But turns out, you can still rock pumped-up kicks to class and look like a classy chick... chick being the keyword here. So go ahead and grab your favorite pair of running shoes, then get ready to hit the ground running, girl.

Stick to neutrals

If comfort is your main goal, kicks in colors like black, white, gray or beige will definitely be your new BFF. Why, you ask? Well, because neutrals will help keep the focus on your outfit without drawing too much attention to your shoes, points out fashion and lifestyle blogger Natalie Zimmerman of natalienotions.com. "Sneakers in these colors can be paired with almost any outfit too, but a canvas style is best if your outfit is a bit dressier," she says. Think a cute pair of Converse shoes with a fun maxi skirt or midi dress and feminine accessories to top it off.

Make a statement

Speaking of accessories, nothing says girly quite like statement jewelry. We suggest balancing out the masculinity of your favorite pair of sneakers with an over-the-top statement necklace or an armful of bangles that will quickly become the center of attention. A glittery backpack is a cute touch too, as long as you're not wearing the statement jewelry, that is, and the rest of your outfit isn't super busy either. Sometimes less really is more.

Skip the pants

If you plan on wearing bright trainers to school, pants will only make your outfit look more sporty and less girly, so style them with a dress, skirt or even shorts, recommends Zimmerman. And don't be afraid to show off those legs (just be sure your bottoms are school-appropriate, of course). To tie together your entire outfit, pick one color from your sneakers and repeat it elsewhere in your ensemble. It can be the dominant color or not. For example, if your shoes are purple, burgundy and orange, you might want to put on an orange top for summertime and a burgundy one in the fall. Slip into a pretty pleated maxi skirt and add on some statement jewelry and you’re as ladylike as they come (or you know, close enough).